In the ancient Ayurvedic doctrine we each are born with a certain mixture of Pitta (fire), Vata (air), or Kapha (water) qualities. These three qualities are known as doshas.
Balance or imbalance in these qualities can come from birth, being genetically and biologically predisposed to a certain element or combination of elements. Or, it can change throughout our lives depending on our activities, stress levels and resilience, nutrition, and our location, or season of the year.
The seasons of the year are represented by a dosha, autumn being the Vata season. Vata is characterized by the element of air and is dry, cold, and mobile.
An imbalance of Vata during the autumn can be attributed to the changing climate; it is suggested to wear a hat and scarf always to prevent the wind from entering the upper orifices and causing dryness, and cold or chill. Also related to Vata is unbalanced movement, even to the extent of over-using technology which causes mobility of the eyes due the flickering light.
In this article I would like to discuss some grounding techniques for the season of Vata. Anxiety may surface during this season due to a limited array of outdoor movement, the weather, altering nutrition, and excess energy that isn’t being “burned”, or redirected. Stress can cause tension in the body and lack of proper hydration can cause anxious feelings in the mind as well as increasing the brittle and dry nature of Vata in the tissue and fluids of the body.
Grounding is a method of redirecting the energy of the mind back into the body and maintaining or reaffirming the connection with both our external and internal environments. It can refocus us during activity, or tasks. It can quiet the mind, reconnect to our breathe, and redirect our physical, mental, and emotional energies.
During the time of Vata, these exercises may be helpful. Simple and direct, we can practice grounding as way to increase mindfulness, be present in the moment, or decrease and balance overwhelm.
- Five Things
Pause, take several deep abdominal breaths while you sense your body. Than look around you. See five things, experience their color and shape. Than touch five things, experiencing their textures. Then listen to five different sounds. Then four, then three, then two, then one of each. - Maintaining Presence in the Hara
One aspect of fostering presence is to work towards developing a 24\7 awareness of your bodily sensations. A technique for doing this is to root your awareness into your hara, located three fingertips length below your navel. Briefly it can be described as bringing your awareness to your belly, arms, and legs at all times. This can also be a way of bringing awareness into the life force energy system of the body and balancing its flow (known as chi, or prana). - Bringing awareness to any exercise or sport
Any form of exercise can be translated into a grounding exercise. Walking, jogging, playing tennis, cycling, and yoga, can be translated into mindfulness activity when experiencing awareness to the bodily sensations you experience when exercising. For example, when you walk, see your environment, hear the sounds, feel the sway of the wind on your face and torso. It is not necessary to have a predetermined destination or rigorous attitude. Simply by bringing our attention back to the breath, the senses, and the outer environment can bring about grounding.
Radiant Living Healing Arts and Massage 